For musically talented people, or people who are passionate about music, a career in music can be extremely rewarding, and there are many career paths available.
Many people think of music education as the standard career choice, which provides an opportunity for the music instructor to impart an appreciation and inspire a love for music to new generations of learners. Whether conducting a choir, marching band, or orchestra, or teaching basic musical notation to junior high school students, music teachers motivate budding musicians to create harmonious sound in live performance.
Another popular career option is to be a music performer. Vocalists and instrumentalists invest large amounts of time and concentration in practices and rehearsals, building their performance endurance, increasing their repertoires, and improving their play technique/stage presence to build a career in performance.
An option for those who love music and have a desire to help others is to become a music therapist. Music therapists are employed in many different settings including general and psychiatric hospitals, community mental health agencies, rehabilitation centers, day care facilities, nursing homes, schools and private practice. Music therapists provide services for adults & children with psychiatric disorders, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, speech and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, and neurological impairments, among others.
Other options for careers in music include careers in the music business such as an engineer, arranger, recording technician, publisher, writer, lyricist, etc. Berklee College of Music in Boston has a comprehensive list of careers in music for those who would like more information.
Richland offers a variety of classes in music that will satisfy general elective requirements at most colleges and universities upon transfer. Take a music class and enrich your college experience!